With an aim to inspire girls to pursue higher education in the field of science and technology, the Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar (IIT BBS) is organising the Vigyan Jyoti programme in its campus at Argul from June 4 to 24 for Odisha region.
The event being organised with the support of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, was inaugurated by AIIMS, Bhubaneswar Director Prof Gitanjali Batmanabane in the presence of IIT, Bhubaneswar Director Prof RV Raja Kumar. Prof Batmanabane urged the students to dedicate their mind to the process of learning and encouraged them to pursue their career as a passion. The IIT Director welcomed all the young girl participants and called upon them to participate wholeheartedly and gather actual knowledge rather than securing marks only and utilise the programme for their overall development. Thirty girl students of Class XI (Science stream) from across the State attended the programme. In addition, the IIT Bhubaneswar made a special provision for five Class-XI (Science stream) girl students from its six adopted villages of the institute under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan to participate on supernumerary basis.
A scholarship of Rs 5,000 would be given to the participants after the completion of the programme. During the three-week programme, students would be taken to planetariums, science labs, research centers and places of historical interest and would be shown inspirational movies and documentaries on interesting science topics and biographies of famous female achievers. Among others, Nodal Officer Prof VR Pedireddi, Coordinators Dr. Sasmita Barik and Dr Seema Bahinipati were present.